Ducks trying to catch lightning in a bottle - again?

The Anaheim Ducks are flying high following a fifth consecutive win. This time they dispatched of the lowly Chicago Blackhawks by a score of 4-2.

Anaheim improved to 15-10-5 and 35 points. They trail Calgary by one point for the Pacific Division lead and they are fifth overall in the Western Conference. Not bad for a team most considered dead and buried in October.

But neither the winning streak, the climb in the standings or any other storyline from the games takes precedence over that sick goal from newcomer Daniel Sprong.

The 21-year-old scored his first goal of the season and first goal as a Duck on just his second shift. Sprong darted across the blue line and made both Brent Seabrook and Corey Crawford look silly. Sprong used his speed to work around Seabrook and launched a seeing-eye laser over Crawford's should from a near-impossible angle. It was such a beautiful first goal and an even better first impression for a new fanbase.

It was only the fifth goal of Sprong's 43 game career.

The Sprong/Petterrson trade has shades of the Vatanen/Henrique trade. The "quote/unquote" "good hockey trade" helped to propel the Ducks into the playoffs last season. This latest deal feels like GM Bob Murrray is trying to catch lightning in a bottle a second time. So far, so good.

Sprong has tremendous upside and fits perfectly in the new style of play Anaheim wants to employ. I was very impressed and I commend Murray for pulling the trigger again.